Letter to Airmen. the Honorable Michael W. Wynn Secretary of the Air Force. Pacific Crossings

Transcription

1 Ready, Aim, Fire!

2 Letter to Airmen Pacific Crossings the Honorable Michael W. Wynn Secretary of the Air Force Recently the Department of Defense learned that four non-nuclear nose cones for a ballistic missile were mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in the fall of Regardless of the results of the ongoing investigation, this situation has identified important lessons for all of the DoD as we increasingly automate procedures and systems - lessons we Airmen must absorb as members of the Joint team. These lessons follow our core values, and they illuminate the critical nature of attention to detail and checking initial entries. Our values first and foremost encompass Integrity. We must always have the moral and intellectual courage to do the right thing and must continue to follow our moral compass in the decisions we make and actions we take. Integrity also refers to going the extra mile to ensure our work is absolutely accurate. The Air Force is made up of skilled Airmen who perform highly technical jobs. From entering target coordinates on a GPS-guided weapon to filling out forms, they all entail putting precise and sometimes complex entries into a computer. Our data entry actions may have immediate effects, or others may rely on our entry at times well into the future. Often, many people rely on the pinpoint accuracy of just one person's work. Every action of this Air Force is critical for our Nation; as we automate more and more, any data errors become part of a larger error set. Our values also include Service. Service here means to cross check any part of a process when you are involved. From supervisor to wingman, I need you to be the one to notice when something is not right even if it is not within your immediate purview. We all can assist each other and the rest of our Joint and Coalition forces to do it right. With the right mindset, large organizations can be adept at avoiding mistakes. We can use our judgment to question or ask for supervisory intervention, a paramount service we can offer to each other. Our values encompass Excellence. Excellence here is about closely following the detailed procedures, and getting it right the first time. Excellence is about getting the right level of training and taking personal accountability for being ready, willing and able to execute the mission, whether administrative or operational, correctly and efficiently. Ask for help if needed. Supervisors must also provide the support needed to assist with mentoring, or cross check as appropriate. The investigation of the mistaken shipment is ongoing and will be thorough, but all should know that as Airmen we will take ownership where appropriate. On the Goals Card is a simple statement: "Knowledge Enabled Actions with an Accountable Airmen Ethic"- this summarizes our values well. I am proud to serve with you and know that every day you bring incredible value to our Air Force, and every day, I know you are working hard to enhance that value. This Air Force Reserve newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military. Contents of Pacific Crossings are not necessarily the official view of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Content is edited and prepared by the 624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs Office, 290 Vickers Avenue, Building 1050, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii All photographs are U.S. Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. Staff Col. John Morris Commander Lt. Col. Deric Wong Deputy Commander Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel Public Affairs, NCOIC Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin Public Affairs, Editor Pacific Crossings is a monthly newsletter published online at units/624rsg. Submissions may be sent to Daniel.Nathaniel@hickam.af.mil or Jennifer.Chamberlin@us.af.mil. Submission deadline is Friday two weeks prior to the next Hickam UTA weekend. All submissions are subject to editing, and acceptance of any material does not guarantee publication. Public Affairs can be reached at (808) or DSN [315] Action Line The Action line is your direct line to the 624th Regional Support Group Commander. If you have worked through normal channels and are not satisfied with the answer, the Action Line is your opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions about the subjects of concern to the 624th RSG community. You may contact the action line at rsgactionline@hickam.af.mil. Please include your name and phone number in case additional information is required. Action lines of general interest will be published in Pacific Crossings, and others will be answered by phone. On the Cover Staff Sgt. Dedric Brown, 624th Civil Engineer Squadron, qualifies on the M-16 at Schofield Barracks during the April drill Weekend. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin 2 Pacific Crossings

3 From the commander By 624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs Due to unforeseen circumstances, 624th Regional Support Group commander, Col. John Morris will not be present for May UTA s Patriot Force exercise at Hickam Air Force Base. My thoughts will be with all the 624th RSG s Warrior Airmen whether they are processing through the line making sure they administratively prepared or in the field proving their job and wartime skills, said Colonel Morris. As a reminder, the commander wants everyone in the Group that with upcoming unit Operational Readiness Inspections and the constant requirements of current worldwide operations in the Global War on Terror, they take the Patriot Force experience seriously. We must be Mission Ready Every Day, he said. A Mission Ready Every Day posture requires strong, pro-active unit and group leadership, a clearly defined mission and vision and sense of purpose, optimum mission deployment readiness, and solid program administration. This means that all members need to ensure that their respective unit programs are in accordance with governing Air Force Instructions and command guidance on a daily basis. They must implement and maintain a viable self-inspection program to verify that programs are fully in Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Schaap Being mission ready every day compliance, ensure solid staff oversight of respective unit programs through a viable Management Control Plan and document self-inspections and program status in the group Management Control Plan. Achieving a full wartime deployment readiness posture every day includes accomplishing and maintaining required job skill levels, mobility, and ancillary training. Members must ensure that all medical, dental, and, occupational health exams and immunizations are current at all times, implement and enforce safety, force protection and OPSEC/COMSEC standards and incorporate Operational Risk Management into the deployment planning processes. In addition to making sure to have all required personal gear, mobility equipment and weapons which are properly maintained and ready for immediate deployment. Maintaining mobility folders and ensuring wills and powers of attorney are prepared, keeping family care folder information current as required and ensuring family financial affairs and other family-related issues are taken care of prior to deployment are critical to success. Together this will ensure the 624th RSG leadership establishes and maintains an inspection ready program management posture and full operational deployment capability to ensure our warrior airmen are ready every day to deploy in Harm s Way. Pacific Crossings 3

4 Around the RSG Grad Night Three members of the 44th Aerial Port Squadron successfully graduated from Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Petersen Air Force Base, Colo., Apr. 3, From left - Tech. Sgt. Jesse J. Cruz, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Wong, 624th RSG command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Thomas E. Young, Vosler NCO Academy commandant, Tech. Sgt. Jay J. Perez and Tech. Sgt. Vincent R. Toves. 44th APS courtesy photo AFRC new CC to be 4/18/ WASHINGTON -- Maj. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general with assignment as chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced April 18 that the president had nominated General Stenner for the promotion and assignment. The general will replace Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley as chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander. General Bradley will retire in June. General Stenner currently serves as assistant deputy chief of staff, Strategic Plans and Programs at Headquarters Air Force. He assists in the development, integration, evaluation and analysis of the U.S. Air Force Future Years Defense Program that exceeds $682 billion, as well as the Air Force long-range plan to support national security objectives and military strategy. 4 Pacific Crossings

5 Retirement Aloha Oe The now-retired Tech. Sgt. Athena Atiz entered Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, January She served with 291st Combat Communications Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard from January Oct 1999 as an Inventory Logistics Specialist. She then went on to become a full-time Aeromedical Technician with the 154th Medical Squadron from November August In August 2004, she jumped to the Air Force Reserve when she joined the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron as a full-time Medical Administrative Assistant from February 2005-April During her time in service, she traveled on temporary duty assignments to Thailand, Okinawa, Guam and Korea. Photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel Pacific Crossings 5

6 Representing Pacific Air Forces Outstanding Airmen of the Year honorees gathered together at the Courtyard of Heroes for a special ceremony April 28, Representing the 624th Regional Support Group and the Air Force Reserve are Tech. Sgt. Daniel Elvenia (front row, far left), Senior Airman Michael Pascua (front row, second from right), Senior Master Sgt. Saturnino Erolin (front row, far right) and Master Sgt. Leony Macapagal (back row, far left). Sergeant Elvenia has gone on to achieve the USAF Logistics Readiness Air Transportation NCO of the Year 2007 (Air Reserve Component). Photo by Master Sgt. Nelson Omandan Virtual Record of Emergency Data Servicemembers are required to keep their Virtual Record of Emergency Data current at all times and are required to review their vred at least annually. Additionally, the member must also review their vred during in/outprocessing, RSG annual mobility folder inspection, and prior to all deployments. Each command support staff orderly room will outline in writing specific review procedures to ensure in/out processing and pre-deployment review requirements are met. An automatic suspense is already established through the vmpf for annual member review. The vred is accessed through the vmpf using the AF Portal through AFPC secure website at randolph.af.mil. Briefs Officer Uniform Allowance Initial uniform allowance is payable only once to an officer. Any officer transferring from another reserve unit or from active duty is not entitled to an initial uniform allowance payment. Also, only Air Reserve Personnel Center can pay this entitlement. Additional uniform allowance is payable every two years but only after the member has been on active duty for a period of more than 90 days. The entitlement is payable on the 91st day. The two year period begins the day after the end of the orders for which the member receives the additional allowance. Readiness Management Period Commanders may authorize an Readiness Management Period to satisfy a four hour minimum requirement. In special cases, a commander may waive the four-hour minimum for an RMP. Use this authority only in exceptional circumstances and not for the personal convenience of the member. The member must attend the RMP for at least two-hours. Commanders may extend an RMP beyond the normally scheduled 4-hour period to meet mission needs. NOTE: The extension of the RMP beyond the four-hour period does not entitle the member to any additional pay or points.

7 Ocean Logistics: Safety By Master Sgt. Steve Adachi 624th Regional Support Group Safety Office Providing the lifeline to Pacific Lifeline Hawaii has the highest drowning rate in the nation. Each year around 60 people lose their lives in the beautiful but deadly ocean that surrounds us. It hasn t been long ago when an Air Force Reservist lost his life in the waters of Lanikai. Last year a lieutent colonel drowned in waters off Hawaii Kai. We are not invincible. Our families can suffer. Even those of us who grew up here can get into trouble real fast if we don t pay attention and don t follow the rules. By Senior Master Sgt. Merian Almosara 624th Regional Support Group Voting Assistance Officer BASIC OCEAN SAFETY RULES: Swim in lifeguarded areas Never swim alone Don t dive Into unknown water or into shallow breaking waves. Ask a lifeguard about beach and surf conditions before swimming If you Are unable to swim out of a strong current, signal for help Rely on your swimming ability rather than a flotation device Look for, read, and obey all beach safety signs and symbols If In doubt, just stay out! Pacific Crossings Master Sgt. Edward Lee, 624th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Dept. 7 Photo by Nicole O Hare

8 Final Word Yum, yum Maj. Charles Kukahimaikalani Tilton, 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, fruitlessly tries to devour the pie that is destined to be smashed in his face during a pie-in-the-face fund-raiser held during the April drill weekend. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin UTA Schedule Hickam May 3-4 June 7-8 July August 2-3 Andersen May June July August By Master Sgt. Leony Macapagal 624th Civil Engineer Squadron First Sergeant Many times a supervisor has to look closely at the appearance of an airman to determine if they comply with standards. Take a moment to look at the front side on an EPR and decide if you want to be the person that complies with standards or exceeds standards. Supervisor, keep this in mind when you rate someone. Do not inflate the system because you do not want to be honest with yourself or your airmen. 8 Pacific Crossings